The 2016 beaten grand finalist has fielded a vastly different line-up in its first two games to the one which almost secured the club its first senior premiership six months ago.

Co-coach Graeme Twaddle said the Eagles were still striving for a top-five berth but needed to be smart with their list management.

The Eagles fielded nine different players from their grand final side in round one.

They regained one – ruckman Ben Mugavin – on Saturday.

Key players, such as midfielder Jye Bidmade, ruckman Jordan Dillon and defender Kory Howlett, are injured.

Utility Dylan Parish was added to that list after breaking his arm against Cobden on Saturday.

“We don’t want to lose too much ground on the leaders but we have to develop younger players too,” Twaddle said.

“We’re not in a position like a lot of other clubs where you can just go out and buy.

“If we have to tread a little bit of water, we’ll tread a little bit of water.

“The personnel on the ground will change in the coming six to eight weeks but we just don’t want to lose too much ground.”

The Eagles play Camperdown, which is coming off a 53-point drubbing of Terang Mortlake, and big improver South Warrnambool before the interleague bye on May 13.